Nothing beats summer time in Tennessee. Whether you’re in the great Smokey Mountains to see a firefly show or driving along the scenic roads on your motorcycle, there’s always some new place to explore. Summer, however, requires some precautions if you want to enjoy it to its fullest – and to stay healthy and safe while you do.
You especially want to be mindful of burn injuries, which can increase during the summer months. To help you enjoy the rest of this glorious season, we offer the following tips to help you avoid a burn.
- Mind your campfires. At our office, we love to camp. We love spending the nights in the great outdoors, and toasting marshmallows with our friends. But campfire can turn deadly if you don’t mind them. Make sure you have plenty of sand and water nearby to properly put it out, and keep a close eye on your smallest campers. Build your campfire in a clear spot away from low-hanging trees, and report any signs of out-of-control fires you see in the area to the proper authorities.
- Wear your sunscreen. Without sunscreen, you increase your chances of serious burns and your risk of developing skin cancer. Speak with a doctor to determine which level of protection you need, and make sure to reapply often.
- Use fireworks responsibly. Never light a firework while it’s still in your hands, don’t let your children hold onto fireworks, and make sure you have plenty of foliage-free space to set them off. It’s a good idea to put all used fireworks in a bucket of water to make sure they’re fully out before you throw them away.
- Put your lawn chemicals away. You don’t need a fire to get burned. Chemical burns from lawn and pool chemicals can be quite serious. Make sure to put all chemicals away after use in a place that’s out of reach of children. Avoid swimming in a pool that’s just been shocked, and don’t walk on a fresh treated lawn until you know for certain it’s dry. If the chemical is strong enough to burn your grass, it’s usually strong enough to burn your skin, and could be deadly if it’s ingested.
A first degree burn is painful, but a third or fourth degree burn can kill off your nerve endings, leaving permanent damage and scarring. If you see severe redness, blistering, swelling or open wounds, consult a doctor immediately. And if your burn injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, give us a call. We can help.
T. Scott knows the importance of interacting with colleagues to stay abreast of developments and changes in the legal world. T. Scott frequently teaches CLE courses on trial strategy, teaching other lawyers his methods for success in the courtroom, and is certified as a Rule 31 Mediator in the Tennessee Supreme Court. He is a member of the Knoxville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the National Trial Lawyers, and both the Tennessee and American Associations for Justice.
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